Theme of ‘Leading with Joy, Learning with Purpose’ comes to life in nearly 70 workshops

From the moment educators stepped onto the bucolic Windrose on Hudson campus in Ossining for the 2026 Tech Expo, the connections began.

Teachers from the same districts took time to talk, former colleagues reconnected, and conversations that were begun at prior professional development programs continued—across workshops, over meals and during the many creative networking opportunities the event afforded.

“This is a chance to learn from one another,” said Dr. Ellen J. McDonnell, Executive Director of the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center (LHRIC), in a welcome message, “and sharpen your practice.”

“I hope your time here sparks new thinking, strengthens relationships and reminds you that you are part of a vibrant community committed to leading with intention and learning with purpose,” said Instructional Technology Manager Mary Lynn Collins-Callanan in her kick-off to the event.

Tech Expo, the capstone event of the LHRIC’s Technology Leadership Institute series, was held at the university-like campus on May 7 and 8. The graciously appointed conference center was transformed into a campus of learning, bringing together more than 300 educators—dozens of whom led sessions on their area of expertise—and 40 educational technology vendors, nearly half of whom also led workshops.

‘A premiere event’

“This is like my Super Bowl,” said Lakeland Schools’ Director of Instructional Technology Scott Staub.

“I plan all year for the presentation that I do here,” he said. “Tech Expo is a premiere event. It’s high-quality professional development. Seeing how other districts are implementing tools that we use is important. It helps us make a lot of decisions. It’s always great to be here.”

“Tech Expo gives me a chance to get together with colleagues and share our stories and meet people who might have solutions to some of the challenges we are facing,” said Jennifer Mazza, Clarkstown Schools’ Director of STEM & Instructional Technology. Ms. Mazza said that Clarkstown had five different teacher groups presenting here this year, adding, “Tech Expo builds the capacity of our teachers.”

“I’ve come to Tech Expo for a few years in a row, said Dr. Stephanie Peborde Burke, a K-12 Instructional Innovation Coach at Irvington Schools. “It’s amazing to see how much technology has changed in one year. A few years ago, AI hadn’t even appeared yet.”

Finding balance in an AI integrated world

Susan Maynor’s Day 1 keynote address, “Create for Good!” set the stage for one of the key conversations threaded throughout the two-day conference: Finding the balance between technology and the uniquely human skills that students need to create a better world.

Ms. Maynor challenged educators to step out of their comfort zones and create opportunities for students to be compassionate innovators. She shared the story of her fourth graders in Missouri hosting a tag sale to raise funds for those impacted by California wildfires. It enlivened the curriculum about natural disasters and engaged her students’ creative confidence, tenacity and agency—attributes that AI doesn’t deliver.

“When you create things that bring you joy, purpose bubbles up,” said Ms. Maynor.

Extensive offerings appeal to educators’ unique needs

Tech Expo’s robust schedule provided practical insights and strategies from educators with real-world experience, benefiting new teachers, seasoned specialists and directors of technology alike. New this year, iLead sessions for district leaders were integrated throughout the broader program rather than offered as a standalone series. The sessions gave leaders opportunities to connect with peers and thought leaders while fostering a supportive community of colleagues.

Instructional technology specialists were drawn to the sessions like Behind the Scenes of ‘AI APPy Hour’ led by Edgemont Schools’ Instructional Technology Facilitator Andrea Nash and Teacher Resource Specialist Cameron Brindise. The session focused on a stress-free approach to empowering teachers’ use of technology.

English teachers attended such sessions as Rough Draft: AI, Feedback, and the Writing Process, led by Dr. Adam Schoenbart, Chappaqua’s Director of Instructional Technology. STEAM teachers flocked to Developing a ‘STEAM At Your Own Speed’ Learning Experience led by Michael Garguilo, a science teacher in the Tarrytown Schools.

“I love seeing how other districts use technology, and the language they use in sharing their use with the community,” said Emily Bocklet, a Technology Teaching Assistant in the Katonah-Lewisboro Schools. “It’s about using technology to create, not just consume.”

A lens for every educator

Scarsdale art teacher Miriam Freedman-Carmen teamed with technology teacher Jennifer Cronk to lead Exploring AI Bias and Datasets through 6th Grade Art. Pocantico Hills’ Student Support Services Director Christine Perricelli and Educational Technology Director Alana Winnick used a holistic lens in Modeling Digital Wellness: A Turnkey Lesson for Staff and Students.

There were even sessions advocating for taking a break from technology, including Analog Ambitions: Reclaiming the Magic of Offline Learning, led by Croton-on-Hudson’s Ashley Valentine, an English teacher and Instructional Coach.

“Tech Expo is a great opportunity to talk to people who have similar positions in their schools, and share ideas and resources,” said Aida Rosenbaum, DICE Coordinator (design, innovation, creation and expression) in Blind Brook. “It’s really fun!”

Ms. Rosenbaum said that she learned about the ways AI technology can help her conduct student assessments more efficiently and the pedagogy that can bring STEM to the forefront. “I can see myself being more involved in the community here and possibly presenting my work in the future,” she said.

Spotlight on TELL Award winners

Threaded throughout Tech Expo were sessions led by educators who were recently honored at TLI’s annual TELL Awards, which recognize innovations in creating systemic change through technology.

Tech Expo was a rare opportunity to learn from several of the award winners in one conference, including Pelham’s Alicia DelMastro, who led Beyond the Code: Vibe Coding Your Way to Innovation, Clarkstown’s Instructional Technology Facilitators Christina Amendola and Katie Kelley, who co-led Gems are Outrageous: Hands-On Customization for the Modern Classroom and North Rockland’s Instructional Technology Coach Kaitlyn Shields, who led Teaching in the Margins: Discern, Build, Send.

Strengthening Teacher-Student Relationships

Day 2 keynote speaker Dr. Mervin Jenkins focused on the power of teacher-student relationships. The dynamic educator who participated in the 2014 launch of the My Brother's Keeper initiative under President Barack Obama highlighted the impact of a teacher’s empathy and encouragement.

He shared his journey from reluctant learner to engaged student. Music came easy to him, and he was cast as a drummer in the school play.” “But when the lead got sick, I was asked to play MacBeth!” he said. “That stuck with me!”

Dr. Jenkins not only recited lines from Shakespeare, but he rapped, to the delight of the audience, making the point that vocabulary is not just about knowing words, it’s about comprehension and life-long confidence.

Experiencing spaces that foster student success

Throughout the conference, the variety of spaces at Windrose provided educators with an opportunity to experience a spectrum of learning environments—from tables for small group collaboration, rows for focus, and stadium seating for optimal screen viewing, to “third place” spaces for chatting over snacks—that balanced instructional needs with student comfort, varying learning styles, neurodiversity and social needs.

Ms. Collins-Callanan of the LHRIC underscored the purposeful ecosystem of spaces. “These reflect different learning settings you can use in your districts,” she said.

Play stations

SWBOCES Communications staff waited their turn to step onto a motorized 360º video booth after lunch on Day 2, and create a slow-motion video of themselves vamping in sunglasses and mustaches. “Having fun is the great way to build team spirit,” said Director of Communication Brian Howard.

They were among many attendees who took time for play.

All around the Innovation Center, educators enjoyed new tech tools like the AI Sketch Bot, marveled at the EMG-controlled prosthetic arm created by students in Manhattan University’s College of Engineering, and looked for cute little geese, the size of a quarter, that were tucked in plain sight. Collecting them throughout the day was a simple way to participate in a new take on a scavenger hunt called Goose Chase, which ended in a raffle.

At the close of the conference, attendees were still connecting

Port Chester Schools’ Aferdita Osmani, a special education teacher, and Estrella Marziani, an English teacher, were beaming by the end of Day 2. The pair had presented on integrating advanced instructional technology to enable teachers to create instruction tailored to individual students’ needs.

Ms. Osmani said she herself had a learning challenge as a student. Ms. Marziani added that she was an English Language Learner as a child. “Now, here I am teaching English!”

“Students have so many challenges,” said Ms. Osmani. “Believing in them, and seeing them, is so important. It’s my job to show them that they can do it,” said Ms. Marziani. “We are all learners.”

To learn more about the TLI program, please visit: https://it.lhric.org/o/it/page/tli-program-information or contact Mary Lynn Collins-Callanan at mcollins@lhric.org